Packers GM Ted Thompson viewed available veterans such ...

Packers GM Ted Thompson viewed available veterans such as Parker, Justin Fargas, Kolby Smith and J.J. Arrington as poor fits for the Packers' zone running game and liked the physical running style of the powerful Nance. Also available was New England's Laurence Maroney, who was traded to the Denver Broncos Tuesday.

Thompson should be getting help in the form of sixth-round draft choice James Starks after the Miami Dolphins game Oct. 17. The Packers were very high on Starks coming out of the draft but were unable to get him on the field much because he suffered a hamstring pull during off-season workouts and then aggravated it in a conditioning test at the start of training camp.

He spent all of camp on the physically unable to perform list, where he remains. Under NFL rules, he is eligible to return to practice after the sixth game. At that time, the Packers will have three weeks to decide whether to put him on the 53-man roster, place him on injured reserve or release him.

Fantasy Impact:

The door is open for rookie James Starks once he comes of the PUP list. It may be a good idea to stash him on your roster...especially in keeper leagues.